Catholic University of America Irish Summer Institute Study Abroad Program in 2015 A 39-day study abroad program in Europe: Day 1 >> Mon. May 18: (Cork) Flight to Cork, Ireland (not included in the package price; optional: group flights can be arranged upon request) Day 2 >> Tues. May 19: (Cork) Arrival at Cork Airport Transportation from the airport to the hotel at own expense 5 nights in twin rooms with private bathrooms incl. breakfast at the 3-star Hotel Isaacs in Cork (http://www.isaacscork.com/en/) Orientation session at the hotel provided by your coordinator Welcome dinner at a restaurant in Cork to kick off your program Day 3 >> Wed. May 20: (Cork) Guided walking tour of the city of Cork to get a first impression of the city and to learn about the city s history Day 4 >> Thurs. May 21: (Cork) Audio-guided tour of the University College in Cork in the afternoon to learn about its history, buildings, and culture Day 5 >> Fri. May 22: (Cork) Entrance ticket to Fitzgerald s Park and Cork Public Museum in the afternoon; named after the previous Lord Mayor of Cork in 1901, Edward Fitzgerald, the park offers a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city (2:00 pm preferred). Day 6 >> Sat. May 23: (Cork) Enjoy a free day in Cork and explore the city further on your own; consider visiting the English Market or Blackrock Castle south of Cork
Day 7 >> Sun. May 24: (Cork - Ballyferriter) Transportation by private bus from Cork to Ballyferriter (departure at 12:00 pm preferred) 6 nights in twin and triple rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen at the UCC accommodation Dún Chíomháin in Ballyferriter Day 8 >> Mon. May 25: (Ballyferriter) 2:00-3:30 pm Irish language class at Oidreacht Chorca Dhuibhne 7:30-9:00 pm Irish set dancing at Oidreacht Chorca Dhuibhne Day 9 >> Tues. May 26: (Ballyferriter) 2:00-3:30 pm Irish language class at Oidreacht Chorca Dhuibhne 7:30-9:00 pm Talk on Kerry Country region at Oidreacht Chorca Dhuibhne Day 10 >> Wed. May 27: (Ballyferriter) 2:00-5:00 pm Guided archeological tour Day 11 >> Thurs. May 28: (Ballyferriter) 2:00-3:30 pm Blasket Island Tour (weather dependent) Day 12 >> Fri. May 29: (Ballyferriter) Enjoy a free afternoon in Ballyferriter and immerse into the Gaelic culture Day 13 >> Sat. May 30: (Ballyferriter - Cork) 9:30 am - 1:00 pm Irish language class at Oidreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, incl. presentation of certificates Transportation by private bus to Cork 6 nights in twin rooms with private bathrooms incl. breakfast at the 3-star Hotel Isaacs in Cork (http://www.isaacscork.com/en/) Public transportation in the afternoon Group dinner at a restaurant in Cork Day 14 >> Sun. May 31: (Cork) Enjoy a free day in Cork; opt to visit St. Fin Barre's Cathedral on Bishop Street or Collins Barracks Military Museum. Day 15 >> Mon. June 1: (Cork) - National holiday in Ireland - June Bank Holiday Entrance ticket to Shendon Bells Tower at St. Anne s Church in the afternoon (2:00 pm preferred); view the internal workings of the clocks, the Four Faced Liar, and enjoy the spectacular views of Cork City from the tower s balcony
Day 16 >> Tues. June 2: (Cork - Kinsale) Transportation by private bus to Kinsale and return in the afternoon Guided tour of Charles Fort in Kinsale in the afternoon, a classic example of a late 17 th century star-shaped fort Day 17 >> Wed. June 3: (Cork) Entrance ticket to the Cork Butter Museum in the afternoon (1:30 pm preferred), to learn about one of the great success stories of Ireland, the butter trade Day 18 >> Thurs. June 4: (Cork - Cobh) Transportation by private bus to Cobh and return in the afternoon Guided tour of the Titanic Experience in Cobh in the afternoon to learn more about the fateful maiden voyage of the Titanic Day 19 >> Fri. June 5: (Cork - Dublin) Transportation by private bus to Dublin 20 nights in twin rooms with private bathrooms and shared kitchen at Student Homes in Dublin (http://www.studenthomes.eu/) Orientation session at the accommodation provided by your coordinator Public transportation pass for the duration of the entire stay in Dublin Enjoy a free afternoon in Dublin to explore the city on your own Group dinner at a restaurant in Dublin Day 20 >> Sat. June 6: (Dublin) Guided walking tour of Dublin incl. the City Walls in the morning to get a first impression of the city and to learn more about the medieval history of Dublin Enjoy a free afternoon in Dublin. You may for instance visit the James Joyce Museum, dedicated to the works and life of the famous Irish writer. Day 21 >> Sun. June 7: (Dublin) Guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol in the morning which is one of the largest unoccupied jails in Europe, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland s emergence Free afternoon to explore the city further on your own. If the weather allows it, you may spend the afternoon at St. Stephen s Green, a public park in the city center. Optional: Tickets to a performance at The Gate Theater or another theater can be arranged at extra cost depending on availability
Day 22 >> Mon. June 8: (Dublin) Entrance ticket to the Dublinia Museum in the early afternoon to experience the historically significance of Dublin Entrance ticket to Christ Church Cathedral in the late afternoon, the elder of the city's two medieval cathedrals Day 23 >> Tues. June 9: (Dublin) Guided tour of St. Audoen s Church in the afternoon; built in 1190, the church is named after St. Ouen (or Audoen) of Rouen (Normandy), a saint who lived in the 7 th century and was dedicated to him by the Anglo-Normans, who arrived in Dublin after 1172 Day 24 >> Wed. June 10: (Dublin) Guided tour of Marsh s Library in the early afternoon, which was founded in the early 18 th century by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh (2:00 pm preferred) Guided tour of Saint Patrick s Cathedral in the late afternoon (3:30 pm preferred); founded in 1191, the Cathedral is the largest church in Ireland, with an 140 feet spire Day 25 >> Thurs. June 11: (Dublin) Guided tour of Dublin Castle incl. the State Apartments and Medieval Undercroft in the afternoon (2:00 pm preferred). Originally built in the 13 th century, Dublin Castle functioned as a military fortress, a prison, treasury, courts of law and the seat of English Administration in Ireland for 700 years. Day 26-28 >> Fri. June 12 - Sun. June 14: (Dublin) Enjoy a long free weekend in Dublin and explore the city further on your own. Alternatively, consider traveling to some nearby cities such as Drogheda to explore the Irish history on the Battle of the Boyne Site, or travel to Kilkenny and visit for instance Kilkenny Castle.
Day 29 >> Mon. June 15: (Dublin) Guided tour of Smock Alley Theatre in the afternoon (2:00 pm preferred), Dublin s oldest theater; discover the sights and sounds of the colorful theater world of the 17 th century and the evolution of Europe s longest-standing theater right up to the present day (Patrick Sutton as guide preferred) Day 30 >> Tues. June 16: (Dublin) Guided tour of Trinity College and the Old Library in the afternoon; among others you will see the famous Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, as well as the Long Room. Day 31 >> Wed. June 17: (Dublin) Public guided tour of Leinster House (start at 2:30 pm). The seat of the Oireachtas, the national parliament of Ireland, was originally the ducal palace of the Dukes of Leinster. Day 32 >> Thurs. June 18: (Dublin) Enjoy a free afternoon in Dublin to explore the city further on your own. Students may consider visiting the Irish Museum of Modern Art, located at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The museum aims to create an enjoyable and engaging experience of contemporary art. Day 33-35 >> Fri. June 19 - Sun. June 21: (Dublin) Enjoy a long free weekend in Dublin to discover the secrets and moving past of the city at your own pace, and to prepare for your final presentations for your course. If the sun is shining, why not soak up some rays in St. Stephen s Green or take a stroll down to Aston Quay, one of the many Dublin Quay s. The Dublin Quay refers to the two roadways and quays that run along the north and south banks of the River Liffey in Dublin. They have played an important role in Dublin s history.
Day 36 >> Mon. June 22: (Malahide) Transportation by private bus during the morning Guided tour of Malahide Castle and Gardens in the morning, one of the oldest castles in Ireland, set on 260 acres. This magnificent and historic 12 th century castle has been home to the Talbot family for over 800 years. Enjoy some free time to discover the castle grounds further on your own or spend some time in Malahide Village. From its early beginnings as an agricultural, maritime and industrial center, Malahide has developed into a modern, progressive town. Day 37 >> Tues. June 23: (Dublin) Classroom available for 4 hours in the morning near your accommodation for final presentations by CUA students (9:00 am - 1:00 pm preferred) Backstage tour of the Abbey Theatre in the afternoon (4:00 pm preferred), to see areas rarely seen by the public Day 38 >> Wed. June 24: (Dublin) Classroom available for 4 hours in the morning near your accommodation for final presentations by CUA students (9:00 am - 1:00 pm preferred) Enjoy a free afternoon in the Irish capital to do some more sightseeing, final discussions, and to prepare for your journey home. Farewell dinner at a restaurant in Dublin to wrap up the program Day 39 >> Thurs. June 25: (Dublin) Transportation to Dublin Airport at own expense Departure from Dublin Airport to the USA (airfare not included) Itinerary is subject to change according to availability